Today I checked for iTunes updates (I was actually looking for IOS 15 for my iPhone) and it asked to update iTunes to the latest release (12.12.0.6).
After the update, I got this error message when starting iTunes:
I tried to repair the installation. No luck.
I uninstalled and reinstalled iTunes. Same error.
I uninstalled all Apple software as documented here, rebooted and reinstalled iTunes. Same result.
I uninstalled everything again and tried to install the version of iTunes distributed by the Microsoft Store (which I usually avoid). Even that doesn't work, same error message again.
OS is Windows 10 x64 21H1 with latest updates.
iTunes was running fine before the update.
Update
I tried installing iTunes on a fresh Windows VM which I had lying around (same OS release and updates, no other software installed), which never had any iTunes version installed or used on it.
I still received the same error and iTunes doesn't start.
This looks definitely like a seriously buggy release.
Best Answer
I confirm that changing the windows user interface to english, then magically itunes works without any problems. no need to reinstall or repair.
Tried it in on different PC's, Windows Versions, Networks, fresh install, update, repair, clean deinstall and reinstall etc. all in German, never got it to start up.
Now in english -> first try, iTunes works! Crazy bug.
UPDATE:
Today i got the iTunes Version 12.12.1.1 Update, after Installing it, iTunes is now working again.